Chapter 128
Chapter 128
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 128
Chapter Title: Sacred Blood (3)
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The moment he ascended to Sacred Blood, Heinz 2nd's senses expanded endlessly.
His transcendent perceptual abilities, which had already reached synesthesia, broke through their limits. Space became tangible in his grasp, and even time drew tantalizingly close—
His spirit, elevated to new heights by the rise in rank, could now detect fragments of the world's flowing karma.
'I see... So this is how Sacred Bloods have been fighting all this time.'
Heinz instinctively understood.
If he poured just a bit more focus into it, he could grasp the edges of that flow.
'It consumes a lot of mental energy and is limited to the area around Heinz's power... but no lower-rank being could even approach.'
Before the opponent could employ any means, the outcome of 'evasion' was already determined. And the moment he willed an attack, 'hit' was guaranteed.
How could anyone fight an opponent like that?
'Without Bricky, even Harley and Heinz together would've struggled in a war of attrition...'
The fact that those two could even clash evenly with Viscount Yupersh was entirely due to her interference.
Without her, Hans—a higher-rank existence than Viscount—would've had no choice but to step in eventually.
They'd been fortunate in many ways.
And that fortune was still holding.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ The entity has met the conditions and grows. Skills 「Concealment」 and 「Invisibility」 merge into Special Skill 「Existence Denial」. As his rank rose to Sacred Blood, the two abilities he'd devoured from vampires of another dimension via 「Hybrid Evolution」 merged and evolved.
Into a skill whose name alone bespoke its extraordinariness.
'...This was influenced by Sacred Blood's power too. A stealth skill that denies the very fact of detection by twisting karma. It's superior in every way compared to before.'
It would've been nice if other skills had evolved too, but that was probably asking too much.
Heinz reined in the surging power within him and opened his entity information window.
⚔ ENTITY INFO ⚔ 📛 Entity Name: Heinz 2nd 🧬 Race: Vampire (Sacred Blood) ✨ Common Traits: 「Mind Hub」, 「Persona」, 「Clear Mirror Still Water」 💪 Entity Traits: 「Bloodline of Blood (Sacred Blood)」, 「Hybrid Evolution」, 「Mystery of Blood」, 「Purified Blood Essence」, 「Existence Denial」, 「Acceleration」, 「Super Regeneration」, 「Insight」 📝 Special Notes: Forcibly inherited Sacred Blood via 「Hybrid Evolution」 and evolved. Can exert slight dominance over the 'Yupersh' bloodline. All abilities have explosively grown, and can now manipulate fragments of karma. 'Oh, didn't see that coming.'
Dominance over vampires inheriting the Yupersh blood.
It seemed that devouring a Sacred Blood had brought along influence over it.
Since it wasn't a proper inheritance, that authority was heavily diminished—hence the 'slight' qualifier—but...
'I was planning to use 「Purified Blood Essence」 anyway, so no issue. Still, this makes things even easier.'
It went without saying that someone he could control, even slightly, was easier to handle than one who actively resisted.
Unlike the Brocoslak Clan, the Yupersh were scattered across the continent, so he'd been pondering how to absorb them.
"Hoo."
As Heinz turned his gaze, a satisfied smile playing inwardly on his lips—
His eyes met those of Bricky, who had been watching him with half-lidded fascination all the while.
"Heh heh— Impressive, isn't it? First time seeing a new Sacred Blood born right before my eyes. Through cannibalizing your own kind, no less."
Even when he'd sunk his fangs into Viscount Yupersh's neck, and even as he'd clawed his way to Sacred Blood through devouring kin, she'd simply observed.
She must have known that once Heinz became Sacred Blood, she—in her abnormal state—could no longer oppose him.
'Of course, Harley was on guard just in case, but she could've interfered if she wanted. And yet she just watched.'
At this point, it was safe to assume she harbored no hostility.
Especially now that he was Sacred Blood; she couldn't touch him anyway.
"That's my ability. But I acknowledge your role was crucial too, Bricky. I'll repay this debt."
"Mm— Since we were already tangled up in this, just spare me a moment of your time? I've got plenty to talk about."
Her sharp battle demeanor gone, she replied languidly, slumping like pickled cabbage.
He needed to learn her intentions anyway, so a serious conversation was in order.
Just... not now.
"Hahaha! What a rare sight. With my revenge settled, think I'll head out! Dropped everything to come here, after all!"
Harley, who had been watching quietly, stepped forward with a casual wave.
With the linked operation between Harley and Heinz concluding successfully, it was time to disband the party.
"Right, Harley. You were a huge help. I won't forget this favor."
"No biggie! They messed with my friend first. Plus, you're in cahoots with our Hubert Merchant Company! Wahaha!"
"Let's keep working together then. We'll pay more attention to the Hubert side too."
"Appreciate it! I'm off!"
With their performative exchange for the onlookers complete, Harley strode out the door without a backward glance.
The barrier over Mule had lifted with the battle's end, and as the territory's lord—and now Sacred Blood—Heinz had permitted it; no one stopped him.
"Hmm, you sure it's fine letting him go like that? Shady from the start in so many ways..."
Bricky mumbled sleepily, her eyes nearly shut.
"It's fine. I've got plans for him already."
Heinz brushed off her concern lightly.
He then sent the dozing Bricky—now nodding off standing up—back to her lodgings first, before heading off to handle the aftermath.
'Gonna be busy as hell for a while.'
From assessing the clan's status post-battle, managing the Yupersh remnants, to future responses.
Mountains of work remained.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ A long two-handed sword in one hand, thick black armor encasing his form.
Though humanoid in shape, not a soul present mistook him for human.
Aside from the glowing red eyes at his visor and the black mana blazing like fire, the mere sight of him exuded an oppressive aura of death no human could possess.
And above all, they knew him well.
For those treading the path of demons, he was a legend incarnate.
"...Death Knight Lord, Karam."
"The legion commander leading the Immortal Army... How is a monster like that here...!"
The sudden barrier had cut them off from the outside, followed immediately by the assault.
Defensive installations crammed at the entrance were obliterated, and the chimeric guards and dark knights—modified by magic—couldn't stall him even briefly.
In that chaos, he'd reached the heart of their hideout in an instant, leaving the Oath of Reverse Heaven's Tulk Kingdom branch black mages on high alert.
"...We thought the increasing loss of branches and the church's offensives were the cause. To think it was the Immortal Army's doing."
Oldman—branch chief here and one of the Oath's elders—muttered lowly, frowning.
The Immortal Army moving directly meant the resurrected Immortal King had his eyes on them—
Forcing them to abandon their plans to profit from the rift between continent and Immortal King.
'...Deal with that later. Priority is relaying this news. They prepared thoroughly since it stayed hidden...'
Composing himself, he confidently surveyed his forces.
Dark knights arrayed in formation at the front, black mages readying spells.
Nearly a few hundred strong.
This was the central headquarters overseeing all Tulk Kingdom branches—leagues beyond the lost outposts.
The entrance breach was a surprise, but those there were mere cannon fodder for buying time.
The real force was the main body, fully prepared during that window.
'Even Karam has limits alone. Even if he summons lesser undead, there's a cap.'
This was their stronghold, layered with defensive magics to boot.
Ally buffs, enemy debuffs, and myriad minor black magics.
[Hoo— This is more than expected.] Karam murmured lowly as he faced them.
Mental magics had purged fear, maxing concentration; their morale sharpened like blades.
Oldman smiled in satisfaction at his fearless elite unit.
"I don't know why the Immortal King targets us, but charging in alone? You must think us fools, Karam! Pay for your arrogance!"
His voice brimming with conviction, he raised black mana to prepare a destruction spell.
Thorough as their prep was, the foe was a history-book monster; full power was needed to minimize losses.
But before he could weave it—
[See that, Karam... The girl didn't request your aid for nothing...] [Hmm, indeed. To fulfill the King's command, it can't be helped.] Another presence emerged behind Karam.
A woman in hazy form, yet clearly clad in black veil and dress.
Her voice alone dazed the mind, shaking the will to live. Her identity...
"Banshee Queen, Olivia...!"
Oldman's face twisted.
Karam alone was one thing, but adding an Immortal Legion executive?
And ghosts began manifesting one by one; she wasn't alone.
Unfortunately for them, the executives here didn't end there.
Swoooosh—
The ground blackened instantly, exuding eerie energy.
From the bubbling darkness—
Whoosh—!
Clatter—rattle!
Screeech!
Headless dullahans, skeletal knights, and hordes of undead poured forth endlessly, filling the area in seconds.
[Pfft— Decent prep, but you lot have zero chance.] With a chilling voice, Dwell emerged last from the shadows, glaring down the black mages.
Three executives for thorough capture of these vermin.
At the overwhelming disparity, Oldman gritted his teeth in despair.
Death Knight Lord Karam, Banshee Queen Olivia, and now...
"...An archlich too. What the hell for all this?!"
(Dwell excelled in commanding undead hordes and strategy but shunned the spotlight, so his name was unknown.)
[...I am Dwell MacKane, faithful servant of the Immortal King! Remember it well!] Irked by their reaction, he bellowed proudly—but futilely, as none would survive to spread it.
Moments later.
Thus, another shadow war concluded silently, unknown to the world.
But even as Olivia handled cleanup, she was summoned away prematurely...
[Girl, Olivia... I have come at the King's call...] Immortal King Hans had called her directly.
[Olivia, I've picked up some interesting catches this time.] Hans's gaze fell on those bound in black chains, dangling midair.
[Oath of Reverse Heaven scum trying to infiltrate Talaria. Looks like an executive mixed in there too.] The Oath's presence proved their hand in the Yupersh Clan affair.
No matter how disposable their pawns, they wouldn't waste a unit this size lightly.
'Even diluted through proxies, Olivia can trace it.'
Combined with Yupersh interrogations, pinpointing the plotters was only a matter of time.
[Investigate these and root out their backers' location.] [As the King commands...] And so, the Immortal Legion's busiest member got another task.
Olivia bowed gracefully, her face pale to near-transparency.
Being too capable had its downsides.